Northamptonshire Roads Policing Teams supports national two wheels campaign

This is traditionally the time of year when people take advantage of the warmer weather and longer daylight hours to get back on their bicycles and motorcycles and take to the open road.

To coincide with the increase of two-wheel traffic, officers from Northamptonshire’s Road Policing and Safer Roads Teams will be supporting a national campaign which runs until next Sunday (June 16).

The 2-Wheel campaign, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and coordinated by National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence, and Investigations (NRPOII), aims to reduce collisions involving some of our most vulnerable road users.

Motorcyclists represent almost a quarter of fatal or serious injury collisions in the UK, despite making up three per cent of vehicles on the roads, showing just how risky motorcycling can be.

In Northamptonshire, seven deaths involving motorcyclists and pedal cyclists were recorded in 2023 and a further 73 casualties sustained serious or life-changing injuries. In 2022 there were eight fatalities and 79 people serious injured.

Roads Policing Inspector Ian Wills, who is coordinating the Force’s activity, said: “Our priority is to reduce casualties on our roads, and cyclists and motorcyclists feature disproportionately in road collisions in the UK, including in Northamptonshire.

“Motorcyclists, cyclists, and more recently e-scooter riders are some of the most vulnerable road users, and this campaign provides the opportunity to remind everyone on how to behave and act responsibly on our roads.

“In partnership with colleagues from the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance, we conduct various initiatives to raise awareness of the issues which two-wheel riders can face and reduce the risk to them and other road users.

“During this campaign we will be shining the spotlight and promoting safety for riders of two-wheeled vehicles through education or enforcement, and we would urge all road users to be observant and courteous in sharing the road space with those who face a higher risk of injury.”

Throughout the campaign, the Roads Policing and Safer Roads Teams will be taking part in a variety of activities including patrolling on board the Force’s motorcycle fleet, both on urban and rural routes.

Officers will be stopping and engaging with two-wheeled road users, including e-scooters and e-bikes, to check vehicles are not only in a roadworthy condition but the riders have the right licence and insurance in place as well as offering advice on safe riding and protective gear.

There will also be the opportunity for motorcyclists to take part in two BikeSafe workshops, which aims to improve rider skills and safety. As part of the session, each participant will have their riding ability observed by a trained police motorcyclist.

As well as the chance for the public to join one of the county’s Biker Down workshops, which are delivered by Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, and provides lifesaving training to members of the biker community.

For more information about road safety and crime prevention tips to keep your two-wheeled vehicles safe, visit Road safety | Northamptonshire Police (northants.police.uk).